Research

Research

Cross-scale biodiversity patterns and their drivers

We are interested in understanding how and why biodiversity is distributed as it is and how the relative importance of potential drivers (climatic, anthropogenic, etc.) changes across scales in various taxa. Specifically, our research focuses on understanding the processes shaping global, regional and local patterns of taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic diversity. At a global scale, we focused on the drivers of multiple dimensions of bird diversity, primarily raptors. Our ongoing macroeological research is investigating if incorporating metrics of rarity and uniqueness might aid in conservation prioritization. At a regional scale, we are investigating the potential role of climate change on plants assemblages (e.g., understory, nitrogen fixers). At a local scale, we are currently working on two Neotropical urban gradients to test how landscape configuration and urbanization shape bird communities (in Arequipa, Peru) and plant-pollinator interactions (in La Paz).
Some selected publications:
  • Montaño-Centellas, F., McCain, C. & B. A. Loiselle. 2019. Functional and phylogenetic diversity to infer avian community assembly along elevational gradients. Global Ecology and Biogeography 29 (2):232-245.
  • Montaño-Centellas, F., Loiselle, B.A. & M. W. Tingley. 2021. Ecological drivers of avian community assembly along a tropical elevation gradient. Ecography 44: 1-15.
  • Montaño-Centellas, F. A., Fuentes, A., Cayola, L., Macia, M., Arellano, G., Loza, M. I., Nieto-Ariza, B. & S. Tello. 2023. Elevational range sizes of Woody plants increase with climate variability in the Tropical Andes. Journal of Biogeography.
  • Montaño-Centellas, F., Loiselle, B. A. & C. McCain. 2021. Multiple dimensions of bird beta diversity support that mountains are higher in the tropics. Journal of Biogeography 48: 2455-2468.
  • Montaño-Centellas, F. & A. Garitano-Zavala. 2015. Andean bird community responses to human disturbances along an altitudinal gradient. Acta Oecologica 65-66: 51-60.
  • Montaño-Centellas, F., Moya, M. I., Aguirre, L. F., Galeon, R., Palabral, O., Hurtado, R., Galarza, I. & J. Tordoya. 2014. Community and species-level responses of phyllostomid bats to a disturbance gradient in the tropical Andes. Acta Oecologica 62: 10-17.

Cross-scale biodiversity patterns and their drivers

We are interested in understanding how and why biodiversity is distributed as it is and how the relative importance of potential drivers (climatic, anthropogenic, etc.) changes across scales in various taxa. Specifically, our research focuses on understanding the processes shaping global, regional and local patterns of taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic diversity. At a global scale, we focused on the drivers of multiple dimensions of bird diversity, primarily raptors. Our ongoing macroeological research is investigating if incorporating metrics of rarity and uniqueness might aid in conservation prioritization. At a regional scale, we are investigating the potential role of climate change on plants assemblages (e.g., understory, nitrogen fixers). At a local scale, we are currently working on two Neotropical urban gradients to test how landscape configuration and urbanization shape bird communities (in Arequipa, Peru) and plant-pollinator interactions (in La Paz).
Some selected publications:
  • Montaño-Centellas, F., McCain, C. & B. A. Loiselle. 2019. Functional and phylogenetic diversity to infer avian community assembly along elevational gradients. Global Ecology and Biogeography 29 (2):232-245.
  • Montaño-Centellas, F., Loiselle, B.A. & M. W. Tingley. 2021. Ecological drivers of avian community assembly along a tropical elevation gradient. Ecography 44: 1-15.
  • Montaño-Centellas, F. A., Fuentes, A., Cayola, L., Macia, M., Arellano, G., Loza, M. I., Nieto-Ariza, B. & S. Tello. 2023. Elevational range sizes of Woody plants increase with climate variability in the Tropical Andes. Journal of Biogeography.
  • Montaño-Centellas, F., Loiselle, B. A. & C. McCain. 2021. Multiple dimensions of bird beta diversity support that mountains are higher in the tropics. Journal of Biogeography 48: 2455-2468.
  • Montaño-Centellas, F. & A. Garitano-Zavala. 2015. Andean bird community responses to human disturbances along an altitudinal gradient. Acta Oecologica 65-66: 51-60.
  • Montaño-Centellas, F., Moya, M. I., Aguirre, L. F., Galeon, R., Palabral, O., Hurtado, R., Galarza, I. & J. Tordoya. 2014. Community and species-level responses of phyllostomid bats to a disturbance gradient in the tropical Andes. Acta Oecologica 62: 10-17.

Community assembly along elevational gradients

Inspired by classic ecological hypotheses, our past and current research aims to test for the relative importance of historical and deterministic contemporary factors shaping montane communities. Using empirical data of birds and trees we collected along elevational gradients and a combination of community ecology, trait-based and phylogenetic approaches with modeling techniques, we examined how species, species traits and communities change across elevations at different scales. Our results provide insights into the factors allowing and maintaining high diversities in mountain systems, informing the conservation of montane biotas. Moving forward, our lab will continue tackling the causes of community and species-level adaptive responses to environmental change across elevations.
Some selected publications:
  • Montaño-Centellas, F., McCain, C. & B. A. Loiselle. 2019. Functional and phylogenetic diversity to infer avian community assembly along elevational gradients. Global Ecology and Biogeography 29 (2):232-245. 
  • Montaño-Centellas, F., Loiselle, B.A. & M. W. Tingley. 2021. Ecological drivers of avian community assembly along a tropical elevation gradient. Ecography 44: 1-15. 
  • Montaño-Centellas, F. A., Fuentes, A., Cayola, L., Macia, M., Arellano, G., Loza, M. I., Nieto-Ariza, B. & S. Tello. 2023. Elevational range sizes of Woody plants increase with climate variability in the Tropical Andes. Journal of Biogeography.
  • Montaño-Centellas, F., Loiselle, B. A. & C. McCain. 2021. Multiple dimensions of bird beta diversity support that mountains are higher in the tropics. Journal of Biogeography 48: 2455-2468.
  • Montaño-Centellas, F. & A. Garitano-Zavala. 2015. Andean bird community responses to human disturbances along an altitudinal gradient. Acta Oecologica 65-66: 51-60. 
  • Montaño-Centellas, F., Moya, M. I., Aguirre, L. F., Galeon, R., Palabral, O., Hurtado, R., Galarza, I. & J. Tordoya. 2014. Community and species-level responses of phyllostomid bats to a disturbance gradient in the tropical Andes. Acta Oecologica 62: 10-17. 

Community assembly along elevational gradients

Inspired by classic ecological hypotheses, our past and current research aims to test for the relative importance of historical and deterministic contemporary factors shaping montane communities. Using empirical data of birds and trees we collected along elevational gradients and a combination of community ecology, trait-based and phylogenetic approaches with modeling techniques, we examined how species, species traits and communities change across elevations at different scales. Our results provide insights into the factors allowing and maintaining high diversities in mountain systems, informing the conservation of montane biotas. Moving forward, our lab will continue tackling the causes of community and species-level adaptive responses to environmental change across elevations.
Some selected publications:
  • Montaño-Centellas, F., McCain, C. & B. A. Loiselle. 2019. Functional and phylogenetic diversity to infer avian community assembly along elevational gradients. Global Ecology and Biogeography 29 (2):232-245. 
  • Montaño-Centellas, F., Loiselle, B.A. & M. W. Tingley. 2021. Ecological drivers of avian community assembly along a tropical elevation gradient. Ecography 44: 1-15. 
  • Montaño-Centellas, F. A., Fuentes, A., Cayola, L., Macia, M., Arellano, G., Loza, M. I., Nieto-Ariza, B. & S. Tello. 2023. Elevational range sizes of Woody plants increase with climate variability in the Tropical Andes. Journal of Biogeography.
  • Montaño-Centellas, F., Loiselle, B. A. & C. McCain. 2021. Multiple dimensions of bird beta diversity support that mountains are higher in the tropics. Journal of Biogeography 48: 2455-2468.
  • Montaño-Centellas, F. & A. Garitano-Zavala. 2015. Andean bird community responses to human disturbances along an altitudinal gradient. Acta Oecologica 65-66: 51-60. 
  • Montaño-Centellas, F., Moya, M. I., Aguirre, L. F., Galeon, R., Palabral, O., Hurtado, R., Galarza, I. & J. Tordoya. 2014. Community and species-level responses of phyllostomid bats to a disturbance gradient in the tropical Andes. Acta Oecologica 62: 10-17. 

Mixed-species flocks of birds

Mixed-species flocks (MSF) are a main social system and a key component of bird diversity across the globe. Surprisingly, they are poorly studied in montane ecosystems. By combining a vast amount of field work with pair-wise and network analyses, our lab investigates (1) the role of facilitation in the composition and structure of MSF and (2) the assembly -and disassembly- of MSF across environmental gradients. A main product of this component was an extensive dataset of mixed-species flocks across the Andes, a dataset with great potential to help future studies. Moving forward, our lab will research if the amount of functional similarities (or differences) among flock mates might affect the potential stability of flocks across space and time.
Some selected publications:
  • Montaño-Centellas, F. A. Munoz, J., Mangini, G., Ausprey, I., Newell, F., Jones, H., Fanjul, M. E., Tinoco, B., Colorado, G., Cahill, J., Arbelaez, E., Marin-Gomez, O., Astudillo, P. X., Guevara, E., Ippi, S., McDermott, M., Rodewald, A., Mathyssen, E. & S. K. Robinson. 2023. Network structure of avian mixed-species flocks decays with elevation and latitude across the Andes. Philosophical Transactions B 378:20220099.
  • Mangini, G., Rutt, C. L., Sridhar, H., Buitron, G., Munoz, J., Robinson, S., Montaño-Centellas, F. A., Zarco, A., Fanjul, M. E., Fernandez, G., Bangal, P., Xing, S. & E. Camerlenghi. 2023. Mixed-species flocks of birds: A classification scheme. Philosophical Transactions B. 378:20220100.
  • Montaño-Centellas, F. & H. H. Jones. 2021. Temperature and vegetation complexity structure mixed-species flocks along a gradient of elevation in the tropical Andes. Ornithology 138: 1-18.
  • Montaño-Centellas, F. 2020. Interaction networks of avian mixed-species flocks along elevation in the tropical Andes. Ecography 43: 930–942
  • Goodale, E., Sridhar, H., Sieving, K., Bangal, P., Colorado, G., Farine, D., Eckhard, H., Harrison, J., Krams, I., Martinez, A., Montaño-Centellas, F., Muñoz, J., Srinivasan, U., Theo, A., Shanker, K. 2020. Mixed company: A framework for understanding the composition and organization of mixed-species animal groups. Biological Reviews 95(4): 889-910.
  • Kajiki, L., Montaño-Centellas, F., Mangini, G., Colorado, G. & M. E. Fanjul. 2018. Ecology of mixed-species flocks of birds across gradients in the Neotropics. Brazilian Journal of Ornithology 26(2):82-89.

Mixed-species flocks of birds

Mixed-species flocks (MSF) are a main social system and a key component of bird diversity across the globe. Surprisingly, they are poorly studied in montane ecosystems. By combining a vast amount of field work with pair-wise and network analyses, our lab investigates (1) the role of facilitation in the composition and structure of MSF and (2) the assembly -and disassembly- of MSF across environmental gradients. A main product of this component was an extensive dataset of mixed-species flocks across the Andes, a dataset with great potential to help future studies. Moving forward, our lab will research if the amount of functional similarities (or differences) among flock mates might affect the potential stability of flocks across space and time.
Some selected publications:
  • Montaño-Centellas, F. A. Munoz, J., Mangini, G., Ausprey, I., Newell, F., Jones, H., Fanjul, M. E., Tinoco, B., Colorado, G., Cahill, J., Arbelaez, E., Marin-Gomez, O., Astudillo, P. X., Guevara, E., Ippi, S., McDermott, M., Rodewald, A., Mathyssen, E. & S. K. Robinson. 2023. Network structure of avian mixed-species flocks decays with elevation and latitude across the Andes. Philosophical Transactions B 378:20220099.
  • Mangini, G., Rutt, C. L., Sridhar, H., Buitron, G., Munoz, J., Robinson, S., Montaño-Centellas, F. A., Zarco, A., Fanjul, M. E., Fernandez, G., Bangal, P., Xing, S. & E. Camerlenghi. 2023. Mixed-species flocks of birds: A classification scheme. Philosophical Transactions B. 378:20220100.
  • Montaño-Centellas, F. & H. H. Jones. 2021. Temperature and vegetation complexity structure mixed-species flocks along a gradient of elevation in the tropical Andes. Ornithology 138: 1-18.
  • Montaño-Centellas, F. 2020. Interaction networks of avian mixed-species flocks along elevation in the tropical Andes. Ecography 43: 930–942
  • Goodale, E., Sridhar, H., Sieving, K., Bangal, P., Colorado, G., Farine, D., Eckhard, H., Harrison, J., Krams, I., Martinez, A., Montaño-Centellas, F., Muñoz, J., Srinivasan, U., Theo, A., Shanker, K. 2020. Mixed company: A framework for understanding the composition and organization of mixed-species animal groups. Biological Reviews 95(4): 889-910.
  • Kajiki, L., Montaño-Centellas, F., Mangini, G., Colorado, G. & M. E. Fanjul. 2018. Ecology of mixed-species flocks of birds across gradients in the Neotropics. Brazilian Journal of Ornithology 26(2):82-89.

Natural history of tropical biota

As a lab, we believe in the fundamental role of documenting natural history: the description of patterns through direct observation of the natural world. We resist the current trend to de-emphasize the importance of observation and natural history education in favor of theoretical, or simulation-only research. We make room for both theoretical and computational analyses and the direct description of natural history of our study species and systems.
Some selected publications:
  • Cortes-Romay, R., REchberger-Lopez, J. & F. Montaño-Centellas. 2024. Prevalence of white spotting in plumage of the Fulvous Wren Cinnycerthia fulva in the Bolivian Andes. Ornitologia Netropical.
  • Telleria, L., Calbimonte, R. & F. Montaño-Centellas. 2024. Nectar robbing by the red-tailed comet (Sappho sparganurus, Trochilidae): The value of citizen science to document infrequent behaviour in birds. Ornitologia Netropical 35: 20-22.
  • Velasquez-Noriega, P.*, Mayta, C., Cuba, E., García, E., Montaño-Centellas, F. & T. Kromer. 2020. Floral ecology and floral visitors of Puya atra (Bromeliaceae), a Bolivian endemic plant. Ecología en Bolivia 55(1): 36-45.

Natural history of tropical biota

As a lab, we believe in the fundamental role of documenting natural history: the description of patterns through direct observation of the natural world. We resist the current trend to de-emphasize the importance of observation and natural history education in favor of theoretical, or simulation-only research. We make room for both theoretical and computational analyses and the direct description of natural history of our study species and systems.
Some selected publications:
  • Cortes-Romay, R., REchberger-Lopez, J. & F. Montaño-Centellas. 2024. Prevalence of white spotting in plumage of the Fulvous Wren Cinnycerthia fulva in the Bolivian Andes. Ornitologia Netropical.
  • Telleria, L., Calbimonte, R. & F. Montaño-Centellas. 2024. Nectar robbing by the red-tailed comet (Sappho sparganurus, Trochilidae): The value of citizen science to document infrequent behaviour in birds. Ornitologia Netropical 35: 20-22.
  • Velasquez-Noriega, P.*, Mayta, C., Cuba, E., García, E., Montaño-Centellas, F. & T. Kromer. 2020. Floral ecology and floral visitors of Puya atra (Bromeliaceae), a Bolivian endemic plant. Ecología en Bolivia 55(1): 36-45.

Working towards a more diverse, equitable and inclusive Academia

Our lab is strongly committed to take actions to support and promote diversity, equity and inclusion in Academia,. As such, we collaborate with equally engaged researchers to gather and analyze evidence on the struggles of researchers of minority groups, BIPOC and those whose first language is not English. In particular, we aim to empower the voice of Global South researchers in Biological Sciences, raise awareness and aid in the understanding of the different battles minorities face in science, and work/propose potential venues towards a more inclusive, equitable and diverse Academia for all.
Some selected publications:
  • Amano, T., Ramirez-Castaneda, V., Berdejo-Espindola, V., Borokini, I., Chowdhury, S., Golivets, M., Gonzales-Trujillo, J. D., Montaño-Centellas, F., Paudel, K., White, R. & D. Verissimo. The manifold costs of being a non-native English speaker in science. Plos Biology 21(7):e3002184.
  • Ruelas, E., Cockle, K. L., Nunez, M. G., Fontana, C. S., Cuatianquiz, C., Echeverry-Galvis, M. E., Fernandez-Gomez, R. A., Montaño-Centellas, F., Bonaccorso, E., […] & M. I. Mino. How to include and recognize the work of ornithologists based on the Neotropics: 14 actions for AOS and other ornithological journals. Ornithological Applications
  • Soares, L., Cockle, K. L., Ruelas, E., Ibarra, J. T., Mino, C. I., Zuluaga, S., Bonaccorso, E., Rios-Orjuela, J. C., Montaño-Centellas, F. A., et al. 2022. Neotropical Ornithology: Reckoning with historical assumptions, removing systemic barriers, and reimagining the future. Ornithological Applications
  • Maas, B., Cardelus, C., Carrasco-Rueda, F., Chirango, Y., Gowda, V., Montano-Centellas, F., Ostertag, R., Roospind, A., Vargas, G., Yadok, B. & L. Santiago. Supporting Inclusive Scientific Communities: Insights from the ATBC Society Survey. Biotropica

Working towards a more diverse, equitable and inclusive Academia

Our lab is strongly committed to take actions to support and promote diversity, equity and inclusion in Academia,. As such, we collaborate with equally engaged researchers to gather and analyze evidence on the struggles of researchers of minority groups, BIPOC and those whose first language is not English. In particular, we aim to empower the voice of Global South researchers in Biological Sciences, raise awareness and aid in the understanding of the different battles minorities face in science, and work/propose potential venues towards a more inclusive, equitable and diverse Academia for all.
Some selected publications:
  • Amano, T., Ramirez-Castaneda, V., Berdejo-Espindola, V., Borokini, I., Chowdhury, S., Golivets, M., Gonzales-Trujillo, J. D., Montaño-Centellas, F., Paudel, K., White, R. & D. Verissimo. The manifold costs of being a non-native English speaker in science. Plos Biology 21(7):e3002184.
  • Ruelas, E., Cockle, K. L., Nunez, M. G., Fontana, C. S., Cuatianquiz, C., Echeverry-Galvis, M. E., Fernandez-Gomez, R. A., Montaño-Centellas, F., Bonaccorso, E., […] & M. I. Mino. How to include and recognize the work of ornithologists based on the Neotropics: 14 actions for AOS and other ornithological journals. Ornithological Applications
  • Soares, L., Cockle, K. L., Ruelas, E., Ibarra, J. T., Mino, C. I., Zuluaga, S., Bonaccorso, E., Rios-Orjuela, J. C., Montaño-Centellas, F. A., et al. 2022. Neotropical Ornithology: Reckoning with historical assumptions, removing systemic barriers, and reimagining the future. Ornithological Applications
  • Maas, B., Cardelus, C., Carrasco-Rueda, F., Chirango, Y., Gowda, V., Montano-Centellas, F., Ostertag, R., Roospind, A., Vargas, G., Yadok, B. & L. Santiago. Supporting Inclusive Scientific Communities: Insights from the ATBC Society Survey. Biotropica